BAE Systems’ Multi-Function Radar wins the company two new contracts with the Royal Navy
Following a visit to Portsmouth Naval Base, Defence Procurement Minister Harriet Baldwin announced that BAE Systems had been awarded two contracts, worth a total of £72million ($95.2million) to support the Sampson Multi-Function Radar (MFR). The radar system is already operational on the Type 45 Destroyers and forms the core of the Sea Viper air defence system.
Matthew Brown of the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Maritime Anti-Air Weapon Systems (MAWS) project team said: “The Sampson support contracts provide a number of developments and improvements which will ensure the continued performance and availability of the radar for the Royal Navy.”
The first contract is a five-year contract, which includes technical support, on-board maintenance, spares and repairs management, and maintainer training for Royal Navy personnel at BAE Systems’ Cowes site on the Isle of Wight. The second is for the update of the processing hardware for the Sampson MFR, which can simultaneously detect and track hundreds of objects in the air.
Announcing the radar contracts, Minister Baldwin commented: “These contracts, supporting the cutting-edge Sampson radar on board our Type 45 Destroyers, ensure that the Royale Navy continues to have the state-of-the-art equipment they need to keep the UK safe. Backed by our rising defence budget and £178billion ($235.5billion) equipment plan, the £72m deals will support 255 high skilled jobs in Britain and will further support the Navy to defend its fleet from attacks.”
BAE Systems has also won the Commander T101 radar support extension project for the next four years. These radars, deployable by land, sea and air, are in service across UK territories at home and abroad.
Les Gregory, BAE Systems’ Product and Training Services Director said: “In these uncertain times, radar is a critical UK capability. BAE Systems’ advanced radar technology provides a clearer picture of what’s going on. Our systems detect, track and classify threats more quickly and enable faster response times than ever before.”
Dr. Alix Valenti
